Business Magazine December 2023

BUSINESS

VOL. XXXVI NO. 12 | DECEMBER 2023

MAGAZINE

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION CHARTS COURSE TO BRING FLOATING NAVY MUSEUM TO ERIE

SPOTLIGHT Q&A:

ERIE ECONOMIST SHARES KEY STATISTICS, TRENDS TO WATCH IN 2024

SPECIAL SECTION: MBA UNVEILS NEW TRAINING COURSES

In this season of thanks, we extend our warmest wishes for a Christmas season filled with joy and a New Year filled with promise!

Board of Governors & Staff

FEATURES WHAT’S INSIDE | FEATURED STORY

3 CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM PREVAILS Despite challenges, 2024 holds opportunities.

COVER STORY | LOCAL PROFILE

5 OLIVER HAZARD PERRY SHIPYARD Oliver Hazard Perry Shipyard Executive Director Joe Pfadt, Ph.D., discusses the potential economic and educational opportunities from plans to create a floating Navy museum on Presque Isle Bay.

SPOTLIGHT Q&A | INSIGHTS

7 DEPARTMENTS BUZZ 10 BUSINESS WHAT’S NEW 11

19 NETWORKING AND MORE See exclusive photo coverage of the MBA’s 11th annual HR Conference, including the 2023 HR Person of the Year!

AWARDS AND PROMOTIONS

EDITORIAL LEGAL BRIEF | UPDATE

9

READ ON THE GO!

HR CONNECTION

15 WORKPLACE TRENDS 16

economic outlook for 2024.

EVENTS

PEOPLE BUZZ

For the most current Business Magazine updates, visit mbabizmag.com

LEGAL Q&A

Ken Louie, Ph.D., director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE) and associate professor of economics at Penn State Behrend, discusses the statistics and trends that are expected to impact the

GET ANSWERS

Corporate Transparency Act imposes new disclosure requirements.

Michael Bishop and S. Craig Shamburg

ON THE HILL | ISSUES

13

PA Senate Majority Policy Committee aims to improve legislation and spark new ideas.

State Senator Dan Laughlin

INSERT | TRAINING CATALOG Executive Editor Karen Torres ktorres@mbausa.org

Feature Photography Oliver Hazard Perry Shipyard J.W. Architecture & Design

Contributing Writers Lisa DeFilippo Michael Bishop State Senator Dan Laughlin Tammy Lamary-Toman S. Craig Shamburg

Additional Photography iStockPhoto.com Amy Breitfelder Design, Production & Printing Printing Concepts Inc. info@printingconceptsonline.com

Advertising Sales Shawn Netkowicz 814/833-3200 snetkowicz@mbausa.org

See the latest computer and professional development training courses available at the MBA.

Frank Mehler 814/833-3200 fmehler@mbausa.org Amy Breitfelder 814/833-3200 abreitfelder@mbausa.org

On the Cover: The Oliver Hazard Perry Shipyard, led by Executive Director Joe Pfadt, Ph.D., is seeking to create a

floating Navy museum along the eastern basin of Presque Isle Bay in Erie that will create economic and educational opportunities in the region. For full story, see page 5.

Mission Statement: “We are dedicated to creating and

delivering services and expertise that help businesses solve problems and succeed.” – Board of Governors

Manufacturer & Business Association Headquarters: 2171 West 38th Street Erie, PA 16508 Pittsburgh: 850 Cranberry Woods Drive, Suite 2224 Cranberry Township, PA 16066 814/833-3200 | 800/815-2660 | mbausa.org

© Copyright 2023 by the Manufacturer & Business Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial, pictorial or advertisements created for use in the Business Magazine, in any manner, without written permission from the publisher, is prohibited. Unsolicited manuscripts cannot be returned unless accompanied by a properly addressed envelope bearing sufficient postage. The magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork. The Business Magazine and Manufacturer & Business Association do not specifically endorse any of the products or practices described in the magazine. The Business Magazine is published monthly by the Manufacturer & Business Association, 2171 West 38th Street, Erie, Pa. 16508. Phone: 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660.

mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2023

1

I need a bank who thinks as big as I do.

Comprehensive financing solutions. Local decisions. Let’s get started.

Having a financial partner who understands your business is important. Having one who is invested in your success is invaluable. With FNB, you’ll have access to a full range of financing solutions to meet your long and short-term goals, from asset-based loans to flexible equipment leasing options. More importantly, you’ll have the support of a dedicated expert who understands your vision and can offer creative solutions to realize it. Find out how FNB can help your business grow at fnb-online.com/business.

All loan products are subject to underwriting/credit approval. |

Equal Housing Lender | FNB Member FDIC | NYSE: FNB

WHAT’S INSIDE | FEATURED STORY

CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM PREVAILS DESPITE CHALLENGES, 2024 HOLDS OPPORTUNITIES As we look back on 2023 and look forward to 2024, U.S. employers have several strong reasons to be cautiously optimistic about the economy heading into the new year. The combination of various factors paints a promising outlook for business growth and stability, according to recent research.

Economic Recovery: The U.S. economy has shown remarkable resilience and recovery from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Employers can expect continued GDP growth and increased consumer spending.

Job Market Strength: The labor market in the United States is exhibiting strength, with steadily declining unemployment rates and robust job creation. As more people return to work, consumer confidence grows, leading to increased demand for goods and services, which benefits businesses.

Technological Advancements: The U.S. continues to be a global leader in technological innovation. Employers can leverage advancements in technology and artificial intelligence to improve productivity, streamline operations, and remain competitive in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

Diverse Workforce: The U.S. is home to a diverse and skilled workforce. Employers

can tap into this diversity, fostering innovation and appealing to a broad customer base.

educational opportunities from plans to create a floating Navy museum on Presque Isle Bay.

Global Trade Opportunities: The United States has a significant presence in global trade, and the continued growth of international markets offers opportunities for U.S. employers to expand their reach and access new customers.

We’ll also provide updates on the Corporate Transparent Act, guidance on workplace harassment and additions to the MBA’s own professional development training programs heading into the new year.

Consumer Confidence: As the economy recovers and unemployment rates decline, consumer confidence rises. This translates into higher consumer spending, creating demand for a wide range of products and services.

Plus, we’ll share a snapshot of key statistics and trends to watch in 2024 from Ken Louie, Ph.D., director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE) and associate professor of economics at Penn State Behrend. Dr. Louie will providing a detailed presentation at the MBA’s Economic Outlook IMPACT Luncheon on Thursday, December 7, with Kurt Rankin, senior vice president and economist from The PNC Financial Services Group.

In this edition of the MBA Business Magazine, we’ll explore these topics and more when it comes to businesses opportunities for growth, innovation and long-term success.

We’ll hear from Oliver Hazard Perry Shipyard Executive Director Joe Pfadt, Ph.D., on the potential economic and

To learn more or to register for the Economic Outlook IMPACT event, visit mbausa.org!

FOCUS ON THE FUTURE mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2023

3

4

DECEMBER 2023 • mbabizmag.com

COVER STORY | LOCAL PROFILE

Nonprofit Organization Charts Course to Bring Floating Navy Museum to Erie The Oliver Hazard Perry Shipyard is seeking to create a floating Navy museum, shown in this architectural rendering by JW Architecture & Design, along the eastern basin of Presque Isle Bay, about a half mile northeast of the Bicentennial Tower in Erie, PA.

opportunities about the U.S. Navy and its technology,” said Dr. Pfadt. “We know this museum ship would be of great importance to Erie and the nation as a whole, while also providing significant economic and educational opportunities to the community.”

The importance of maritime history in Erie and northwestern Pennsylvania cannot be understated. The Battle of Lake Erie in 1813 marked one of the largest naval battles and a turning point of the War of 1812. American Naval forces under the command of Oliver Hazard Perry changed the course of U.S. history that day.

The Oliver Hazard Perry Shipyard is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to secure the decommissioned ex-USS HALYBURTON (FFG40), one of the 51 Oliver Hazard Perry class Guided Missile Frigates built for the U.S. Navy, through the U.S. Navy’s ship donation process and install it as a museum ship in Erie. Already years in the making, the organization has been working closely with the Navy to develop a plan for securing the USS Halyburton and opening it to the public.

Perry Shipyard Executive Director and CEO Joe Pfadt, Ph.D., stands on the deck of the ex-USS HALYBURTON in Philadelphia during a visit to the ship.

Securing the USS Halyburton has not been an easy task for the Perry Shipyard. The The mission of the Perry Shipyard is to honor U.S. Navy has a tedious three-phase ship the veterans of America’s Armed Forces who donation process for evaluating whether served with distinction by providing them an organization is fit to receive, maintain with a historic Navy vessel. Additionally, the and utilize a ship like the USS Halyburton. museum would offer a unique view into Throughout the process, the Perry Shipyard the technology and history of the U.S. Navy has provided business, financial and as the most modern warship available to environmental plans for the museum. The the public.

Perry Shipyard will hear from the U.S. Navy Erie and the surrounding areas have a dense if it will advance to Phase III. population of veterans, with more than OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND 9 percent of the population in Erie County Once relocated to her new home in Presque having served their country. The Perry Isle Bay, the USS Halyburton would afford Shipyard would encourage veterans and the public a unique opportunity to explore their families from across the country to a modern fighting vessel. Visitors would travel to Erie to experience the history and experience firsthand what life was like culture of the U.S. Navy and its technology. onboard as they tour the vessel, participate in overnight visits, sleep like sailors, and hear AT THE HELM personal stories from those who served.

Joe Pfadt, Ph.D., an Erie native and veteran, Furthermore, the Perry Shipyard museum is currently leading the charge to bring would provide a hands-on visible teaching the Halyburton to Erie as the executive platform and STEM learning opportunities director and CEO of the Perry Shipyard for students of all ages, from elementary Project. Dr. Pfadt has dedicated his life school to higher education. to serving the nation — in his role as an educator, as a National Guard member, and through his ongoing work to promote and honor veterans. The Perry Shipyard is the culmination of decades of communitybuilding initiatives he has led.

“Our mission is to bring the USS Halyburton to Erie to create a place where we can honor veterans and provide educational

Based on an economic impact study, the project predicts the museum ship would support and sustain 174 jobs and bring in 100,000 tourists in Year 5 of operations.

The project is expected to have an impact of $18 million on Pennsylvania’s economy

by Year 5 of operations, with a cumulative impact of $80.6 million over five years.

As a nonprofit organization, the Perry Shipyard project relies on tax-deductible charitable donations — both individual and corporate — to help advance its educational mission.

To learn more, visit perryshipyard.org.

The Perry Shipyard hopes to bring the USS Halyburton, a now-decommissioned U.S. Navy frigate, to Presque Isle Bay as a museum ship.

mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2023

5

What happened to the economy in 2023, and what does the economic outlook show for 2024? Join us for our annual Economic Outlook IMPACT Luncheon on December 7 as we welcome two of the region’s top economists for a discussion on the real facts, figures and trends impacting the local, regional, national and global economies — and how they can affect your business.

Ken Louie, Ph.D. is the director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE) and an associate professor of Economics at Penn State Behrend. He is regularly sought out by news media for his commentary on the regional economy, as well international trade and finance, labor economics and economic development. He received the Penn State Behrend Council of Fellows Award for Excellence in Teaching and was a Fulbright Lecturer in the People’s Republic of China in 1998.

Kurt J. Rankin is vice president and senior economist for The PNC Financial Services Group. He is responsible for contributing to PNC’s regional, national and international economic analysis, including coverage of metropolitan area economies throughout PNC’s midwestern footprint. Rankin joined PNC in June of 2010 after a 10-year career with Moody’s Analytics. He is past president of The Economic Club of Pittsburgh - the local chapter of National Association of Business Economics (NABE). He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Pittsburgh and his master’s degree in economics and finance from Venice International University (Venice, Italy). Rankin also holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix, with a concentration in global management.

PRESENTED BY:

6

DECEMBER 2023 • mbabizmag.com

REGISTER TODAY AT MBAUSA.ORG OR 814/833-3200

SPOTLIGHT Q&A| INSIGHTS

ERIE Economist Shares Key Statistics, Trends To Watch in 2024 The U.S. economy seems to be defying expectations without a major recession or sharp rise in unemployment. Here, Ken Louie, Ph.D., director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE) and associate professor of economics at Penn State Behrend, discusses the statistics and trends that are expected to impact the economic outlook for 2024.

How would you describe the outlook for the U.S. economy as we begin 2024?

The U.S. economy has shown remarkable resilience. So far this year, the economy has added over 1.8 million jobs, averaging over 200,000 new jobs per month, while unemployment has remained below 4 percent.

The U.S. labor market has remained strong despite the Federal Reserve’s aggressive monetary policy of pushing up interest rates to slow the pace of inflation. While the Fed has yet to achieve its target inflation rate of 2 percent, the monetary tightening has thus far brought the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) back down to 3.7 percent without any significant negative effect on employment.

If these trends continue, the U.S. economy is poised to have a bright outlook for 2024 and the Fed may very well achieve the elusive “soft landing” that it is trying to engineer. Of course, many challenges remain, including unexpected domestic as well as global economic and political events, that may affect the performance of the economy in 2024.

Looking ahead, U.S. economic growth is expected to average 1.5 percent, from 2.1 percent this year. What does your research show?

There seems to be a strong consensus regarding the trajectory of U.S. economic growth in the near term. Projections from the U.S. Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve Bank presidents, the International Monetary Fund, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Survey of Professional Forecasters all indicate that U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) is likely to grow by 2.1 percent this year and by 1.3 to 1.5 percent in 2024. It is also noteworthy that the 2.1

percent growth rate projected for 2023 is higher than what the Fed and the IMF had originally forecast at the end of last year, reflecting the current strength of the U.S. economy.

What about the regional economic outlook?

How does it compare with the state and nation for 2023?

In terms of economic output (real GDP), the Erie regional economy has rebounded after the COVID pandemic to grow by 3.4 percent in 2021 after having fallen by 6.1 percent in 2020. Although more recent statistics on the growth of output at the local level are not yet available, historical experience suggests that the Erie regional economy tends to lag somewhat behind the state and national economies. Therefore, the real GDP growth rate in 2022 in the state (1 percent) and the nation (1.9 percent), along with the projected growth rate of 2.1 percent for the U.S. in 2023, suggest the approximate upper limits on the growth rate of the Erie regional economy for 2023.

Experts also project unemployment rate to not go higher than 4.1 percent, only a smidgen higher than 4 percent in 2022. What is your assessment of the employment rate?

What are you seeing at the local level?

As noted earlier, the U.S. labor market has remained strong. Moreover, despite the Fed’s contractionary monetary policy, the median forecast by the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve Bank presidents is for the U.S. unemployment rate to remain relatively low at 4.1 percent in 2024. The Philadelphia Fed’s Survey of Professional Forecasters also projects an unemployment rate of 4 percent in 2024.

ago. The data on employment also suggest that the Erie economy is still slowly recovering from the pandemic, with total nonfarm employment currently at 97 percent of the pre-pandemic level.

What key areas/current issues should we be keeping our eyes on when it comes to the economic forecast for 2024?

Domestically, key areas/issues to watch include the Federal Reserve’s evolving interest rate policy as it continues its fight against inflation; the ongoing debates within Congress as well as between Congress and the president over fiscal policy; and the potential shifts in economic policy after the 2024 election.

Globally, key issues and events to watch which have potential repercussions on the U.S. economy include the continuing war between Russia and Ukraine and the latest violence in the Middle East; trade and related disputes with other countries including China; and the consequences of an economic slowdown in other parts of the world.

To learn more about the 2024 economic forecast, register for the MBA’s Economic Outlook IMPACT luncheon on December 7 at the MBA Conference Center in Erie at mbausa.org.

At the local level, the unemployment rate also has been trending downward to 4.2 percent as of August compared to 4.9 percent a year mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2023

7

Legal solutions driven by real relationships.

As the Holiday Season approaches, we are reminded of the importance that relationships play in solving complex business problems.

With over 125 years of legal experience, we know that the best relationships are formed out of a mutual trust and respect.

Throughout your dealings with MacDonald Illig, our team will keep you informed, be responsive to your needs, explain the matter in the context of your business, and keep you apprised of what lies ahead.

From bet-the-company litigation to important transactions, we will work together with you to determine the best solution or means for achieving your goals.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our clients, community, and employees for a wonderful 2023. We wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and a happy holiday season!

Call: (814) 870-7600 or visit: macdonaldillig.com MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton, LLP 100 State St. Suite 700, Erie, PA 16507

BANKING & FINANCE · BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS · BANKRUPTCY & CREDITORS’ RIGHTS · CHARITABLE & NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS · CONSTRUCTION · EDUCATION · ENVIRONMENTAL & ENERGY · FAMILY LAW GOVERNMENT SERVICES · HEALTH CARE · INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & TECHNOLOGY · LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION · MANUFACTURING · REAL ESTATE · TAX PLANNING & REPRESENTATION · TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS · TRUSTS & ESTATES · WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

LEGAL BRIEF | UPDATE

Corporate Transparency Act Imposes New Disclosure Requirements “reporting company” or owns or controls at least 25 percent of the equity interests in the “reporting company.” A wholly-owned subsidiary’s “beneficial owner” is who ultimately owns or controls the top level company.

Michael Bishop is a member of MacDonald Illig’s Business Transactions and Trusts & Estates practice groups. He helps clients with corporate transactions, tax issues and estate planning matters.

S. Craig Shamburg is the chair of MacDonald Illig’s Business Transactions Group. He provides guidance to the firm’s corporate clients on matters related to organization, governance, operations, succession planning, and mergers & acquisitions.

The newly passed Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) will require reporting companies to file disclosure forms with the U.S. Treasury Department through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”). The CTA is intended to prevent money laundering and other illegal financial activity being funneled through U.S.-based entities. Under the CTA, reporting companies must file information on their beneficial owners and company applicants. The disclosure form is due no later than January 1, 2025 for reporting companies formed before January 1, 2024.

What is a Reporting Company?

A “reporting company” is defined as either a domestic or foreign privately held company and broadly includes entities that were created by the filing of a document with a state agency (i.e., a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, professional corporation, etc.). The CTA excludes certain nonprofit, professional entities and “Large Operating Companies” from this requirement.

A Large Operating Company is defined as one that has: 1) more than 20 full-time employees; 2) a physical office presence in the United States; and 3) filed a Tax Return for the prior year which demonstrates gross receipts or sales in excess of $5 million.

Wholly-owned subsidiaries owned by excluded companies are also excluded.

What Information is Needed?

The CTA requires the disclosure be made to FinCEN each year. The information that must be disclosed about the “reporting company” includes: 1) the company’s legal name, trade name and any “DBA” designations; 2) the address of its principal place of business; 3) the jurisdiction of formation, and 4) its tax identification number.

In addition, the CTA requires the “reporting company” to disclose certain information about its “beneficial owners” the legal name, date of birth, current address and ID number (accompanied with a picture of that ID) of each beneficial owner. A “beneficial owner” is an individual that either exercises substantial control over the

In addition, the “reporting company” must file a new report to correct or change any information contained in a previous report within 30 days of the change. The information provided to FinCEN under the CTA is confidential and can only be disclosed

by FinCEN to a government agency, law enforcement, or financial institution to ensure compliance with the CTA. Worth Noting It is anticipated that the required disclosure form must be filed online through FinCEN’s website. As of this writing, the online portal to file the disclosure is not yet active.

Failure to timely file the form can lead to civil penalties of up to $500 per day, up to $10,000 in total. In addition, the CTA provides for criminal penalties of up to 2 years for knowingly submitting false information.

The CTA contains a safe harbor from civil and criminal penalties for certain goodfaith filers. If a person who filed a report which contained untrue or inaccurate information later files an updated report containing the corrected information within the 90-day timeframe, then the filer may avoid the aforementioned civil and criminal liability. Importantly, to be eligible for the safe harbor the filer must not have acted with the intention to evade the reporting requirements of the CTA and must not have had actual knowledge that the information contained in the original report was untrue or inaccurate.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding how these filing requirements or the CTA will impact your business, please reach out to us at 814/870-7600.

mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2023

9

BUSINESS BUZZ | WHAT’S NEW DUNCAN FINANCIAL EARNS MAJOR RECOGNITION Independent financial services firm Duncan Financial Group of Irwin recently was named the Pennsylvania State Agency of the Year

by Keystone Insurers Group (Keystone), the fourth largest insurance agency network.

The award recognizes agencies within Keystone’s footprint that exemplify growth and innovation beyond just sales, including technology, best practices, community service, and leadership within the industry.

Celebrating 40 years in the industry, Keystone’s mission is to deliver more than premium aggregation to independent agencies that wish to succeed in an industry that’s continually shifting and reshaping.

Founded in 1978, Duncan Financial Group’s story touches countless families and businesses along with the broader community it calls home. Founder John M. Duncan Sr. provided the foundation of the company’s success and sustainability with his mantra — “if you take care of your clients, everything else will take care of itself.”

Today, Duncan Financial Group has expanded to over 140 team members.

To learn more, visit duncangrp.com.

AHN and Highmark Health officials were joined by community leaders, elected officials and area coaches and athletes to announce the new facility coming to the Erie Sports Center.

AHN ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR NEW SPORTS MEDICINE AND PERFORMANCE PAVILION AT ERIE SPORTS CENTER Allegheny Health Network (AHN) unveiled plans to open a new, state-of-the-art, $6.5 million sports medicine and sports performance training pavilion at the Erie Sports Center, 8161 Oliver Road. AHN and Highmark Health officials were joined by community leaders, elected officials and area coaches and athletes at the site in October to celebrate the coming facility, which will be the anchor tenant of a multisports complex that owner Troy Bingham is currently transforming into one of the nation’s preeminent destinations for advanced athletic training and competition.

According to Bingham, more than 100,000 people visit the site each year for entertainment and sports-related activities. The Center hosts tournaments, team camps and academies in virtually every sport.

“Like so many other communities around the country, sporting events and participation in athletics are part of the fabric of this region, and we take great pride in our athletic programs and athletes of every age,” said Bingham. “This unique complex has long been a catalyst for athletic development and competition in Erie, and with AHN and Highmark Health at our side, we are now ready to take this community asset to an entirely new level.”

“The addition of a world-class AHN sports medicine and sports performance program on this site, together with other significant planned investments to modernize and improve many of our playing fields, will dramatically elevate our Center’s and this region’s national and international profile in the sports world. I am really excited about what this will mean for athlete development for our various club team athletes, clinics and camps.”

10 DECEMBER 2023 • mbabizmag.com

AHN’s new, 14,000-square-foot sports medicine and performance pavilion will be housed in the existing structure that sits adjacent to the Sports Center’s Dome. It will be staffed by AHN’s nationally recognized sports medicine team, including orthopaedic surgeon Jay Deimel, MD, director of sports medicine at AHN’s Saint Vincent Hospital; sports medicine primary care physicians Jeff Kim, DO, Philip St. Julien, DO, and Dominic Vanchieri, DO; and numerous athletic trainers, strength and conditioning specialists and sports physical therapists. Together the team will provide a spectrum of services for athletes and active adults, including physician appointments, care management, physical/occupational therapy and sports rehabilitation, concussion management, strength training, conditioning, speed, agility, and recovery services.

The AHN facility will also feature onsite X-ray and mobile MRI services to support rapid assessment of injuries and the development of comprehensive treatment plans that put patients on the right path to recovery.

AHN’s comprehensive sports performance program, led by former Pittsburgh Pirates strength and conditioning coach Frank Velasquez Jr., ATC, CSCS, provides personalized sports and position specific strength training and conditioning programs for individuals and teams; advanced injury prevention and recovery regimens; and detailed sports science performance assessments.

AHN expects the facility to open in mid-2024.

To learn more, visit.ahn.org/services/ orthopaedic.

TRAINING @ THE MBA LEARN IT TODAY . . .

APPLY IT TOMORROW!

Harness the true potential of your workforce with professional training @ the mba!

JANUARY  FEBRUARY  MARCH 2024

MANUF

CLASS LOCATIONS

All courses are held at the MBA Conference Center in Erie, unless otherwise noted.

Erie

MBA Conference Center 2171 West 38th Street

St. Marys

Community Education Council 4 Erie Avenue, Suite 200

* Handicap access and parking available at all sites.

ONSITE TRAINING

CONVENIENCE: Let our expert instructors bring the training you need, when you need it, where you need it.

CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS: From full-day to half-day programs, we will tailor any program to fit your specific needs.

FOCUSED INTERACTION: Group training discussions focus on the key topic areas specific to your company’s environment.

REGISTER TODAY! VISIT: MBAUSA.ORG CALL: 814/833-3200  800/815-2660 EMAIL: MLESNIEWSKI@MBAUSA.ORG * A.M. classes run 8 a.m. to noon, and P.M. classes run 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

Cancellation/No-Show Policy: If notice is four business days or more, a full refund will be made. If notice is less than four business days, or if you do not show up for the class, no refund will be made. NOTE: You may substitute another individual from your organization at any time and at no cost.

JANUARY

2024

LEADERSHIP

CERTIFIED SUPERVISORY SKILLS SERIES Course I Course I (St. Marys) Course II (St Marys) Course III Course IV Course IV

1/23 and 1/30 1/9 and 1/10 1/30 and 1/31 1/16 and 1/23 1/4 and 1/11 1/10 and 1/17

LEADERSHIP FOR TEAM LEADERS SERIES Course I Course IV Course V

1/24 1/4 1/25

HR FOR NON-HR – The Big 6 Course LIVEOnline only; can be taken as part of a six-part series or individually: GUIDE TO INTERVIEWING: What You Should and Shouldn’t Ask (1 to 2 p.m.)

1/16 ADA & FMLA: Know the Ins and Outs (1 to 2 p.m.)

1/23

TIME WORKED: Key Basics on Manager Break and Pay Practices (1 to 2 p.m.)

1/30

HUMAN RESOURCES

HR ESSENTIALS COURSE I: SAFE HIRING PRACTICES – Background Checks, Interviews and Orientations (9 a.m. to Noon) 1/18

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS CUSTOMER SERVICE (a.m. only)

1/9

INFLUENCE & PERSUASION (p.m. only)

1/9

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

1/23

SAFETY/QUALITY

LEAN OPERATIONS DAY 2

1/9

ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION

1/15

OSHA 10-HOUR SUPERVISORY SAFETY: Safety Awareness

COMPUTER

1/18 and 1/19 1/10

ACCESS LEVEL I (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

1/24

“Very interesting and informative program.

I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in improving their leadership skills.”

EXCEL LEVEL I (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

1/9

EXCEL LEVEL I (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

1/31

EXCEL LEVEL II (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

1/16

— Lisa Hadden, Marquette Savings Bank

EXCEL LEVEL III (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

1/23

POWERPOINT II (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

1/17

WORD LEVEL II (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

1/10

FACTURER & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

TRAINING SCHEDULE

MARCH

FEBRUARY

LEADERSHIP

CERTIFIED SUPERVISORY SKILLS SERIES Course I Course II Course III (St. Marys) Course IV Course V Course V LEADERSHIP FOR TEAM LEADERS SERIES Course I Course II

LEADERSHIP 2/14 and 2/21 2/20 and 2/27 2/27 and 2/28 2/13 and 2/20 2/1 and 2/8 2/7 and 2/14 2/15 2/21

2/6

2/20

HUMAN RESOURCES

HR ESSENTIALS COURSE II: DISCRIMINATION & HARASSMENT (9 a.m. to Noon)

2/15

THE INS AND OUTS OF FMLA (9 a.m. to Noon)

2/29

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS INTRO TO SOCIAL MEDIA (p.m. only)

2/29

PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT (a.m. only)

2/6

WRITING TO WOW! (p.m. only)

2/6

SAFETY/QUALITY

LEAN OPERATIONS DAY 3

2/5

ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION

2/19

SUPERVISORY SAFETY: Best Practices

2/13

COMPUTER

LEADERSHIP FOR TEAM LEADERS Course II Course III Course III DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION (DEI) WORKSHOP SERIES (10:30 a.m. to Noon)

EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE: Effective Procedures for Performance Improvement (1 to 2 p.m.)

2/13 CONDUCTING TERMINATIONS: How to Say Goodbye (1 to 2 p.m.)

3/7 and 3/14 3/13 and 3/20 3/19 and 3/26 3/26 and 3/27 3/12 and 3/19 3/7 3/13 3/28

HUMAN RESOURCES

HR FOR NON-HR – The Big 6 Course LIVEOnline only; can be taken as part of a six-part series or individually: HARASSMENT & DISCRIMINATION: Manager Obligations (1 to 2 p.m.)

CERTIFIED SUPERVISORY SKILLS SERIES Course I Course II Course III Course III (St. Marys) Course V

EXCEL LEVEL I (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

2/20

EXCEL LEVEL II (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

2/6

EXCEL LEVEL II (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

2/27

EXCEL LEVEL III (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

2/13

FORMULAS & FUNCTIONS (LIVEOnline, 9 to 11 a.m.)

2/21

ONENOTE (8 a.m. to Noon)

2/28

TABLES & PIVOT TABLES (LIVEOnline, 1 to 3 p.m.)

2/21

WORD LEVEL III (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

2/7

3/7 and 3/14

HR ESSENTIALS COURSE III: PROPER TERMINATIONS (9 a.m. to Noon) 3/21

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION

3/12

DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS (a.m. only)

3/26

LEADING CHANGE (p.m. only)

3/26

SAFETY/QUALITY

FORKLIFT “TRAIN THE TRAINER”

3/6

ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION

3/18

SUPERVISORY SAFETY: Advanced Concepts

3/20

COMPUTER EXCEL DASHBOARD BASICS (LIVEOnline, 1 to 3 p.m.)

3/6

EXCEL DATA ANALYSIS (LIVEOnline, 9 to 11 a.m.)

3/6

EXCEL LEVEL I (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

3/12

EXCEL LEVEL II (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

3/19

EXCEL LEVEL III (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

3/5

EXCEL LEVEL III (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

3/26

OUTLOOK (1 to 4 p.m.)

3/13

POWER BI (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

3/20

TEAMS (8 a.m. to Noon)

3/13

“Outstanding course and trainers who kept us engaged at all times.”

— Stefanie Ingramm, INEOS Pigments

MAKE MBA TRAINING PART OF YOUR GREAT RETENTION STRATEGY! PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTORS

DIVERSE TRAINING CLASSES

(5) MBA On-Staff Training Specialists

(17) Leadership & Management (13) Human Resources & Legal (11) Marketing & Communications (11) Computer & Social Media (9) Quality (6) Safety

Tracy Daggett, PHR

Manager of Professional Development Training Services

Kim Figurski

Human Resource Consultant and Trainer

Lisa DeFilippo

Senior Professional Development Trainer

Casey Naylon

Computer Trainer and Database Administrator

Rachel Tserkovniak, SPHR Human Resource Consultant and Trainer

REGIONALLY RECOGNIZED MBA CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS Supervisory Skills Supervisory Safety Skills Leadership for Team Leaders HR Essentials HR Essentials Advanced Marketing & Communications Lean & Six Sigma One-Day Food Safety

Visit mbausa.org to view our current training schedule or to register online anytime!

PEOPLE BUZZ | AWARDS AND PROMOTIONS ERIE INSURANCE PROMOTES SKARUPSKI TO SENIOR VP OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Prior to joining the Board, Dusckas has been serving on Asbury Woods’ finance committee since 2018. During that time, he played an instrumental role in many major decisions affecting Asbury Woods’ future including the expansion of program staff, fiscal and investment planning and the funding of acquisition of 52 acres of property.

Skarupski succeeds Sean Dugan, who was promoted to executive vice president, Human Resources & Corporate Services in January 2023.

Aaron O’Toole is chief financial officer of the Millcreek Township School District. He was appointed as the Millcreek Township School District representative on the board as of June 2023.

O’Toole has been employed

by Millcreek Township School District since 2014 and currently serves as chief financial officer.

Erie Insurance recently , announced the promotion of Karen Skarupski to senior vice president, Human Resources.

During her 32 years with ERIE, Skarupski has held several leadership roles in law, human resources, compliance and privacy, and has served as vice president, corporate privacy officer, since 2018.

Skarupski began her ERIE career in 1991 when she left private law practice to join ERIE’s Law Division working primarily on employment-related legal matters. For nearly 20 years, she provided counsel to company HR leaders on employee benefits, diversity and inclusion, compensation, leave and disability issues, compliance and training, and workplace safety and health. She also served as interim division officer for Human Resources in 2008.

Skarupski holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Allegheny College and a juris doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University.

She is also a Certified Information Privacy Manager and a Certified Information Privacy Professional. She is a member of the Erie and Pennsylvania Bar Associations, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America and serves as a trustee of the Erie County Bar Foundation.

ASBURY WOODS ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Asbury Woods, a 200-plus acre nature preserve in Millcreek Township, recently announced its new Board members, including George Dusckas Jr., Aaron O’Toole, T.J Richter, Steve Ropski and Bridget C. Shames.

George Dusckas Jr. is senior vice president of RBC Wealth Management. He is a seasoned financial adviser who has been assisting clients with building and preserving wealth since 1982. He joined RBC Wealth Management in 2005.

T.J. Richter is a partner at Loesel-Schaaf Insurance Agency, which he joined in August 2018. As vice president and treasurer at the agency, he is part of all aspects of its operations.

As part of the Asbury Woods Board, he looks forward to working with everyone to preserve the work that’s been done and do his part in enhancing the experience that people have when they visit Asbury Woods.

Steve Ropski is a biology professor at Gannon University. Ropski has been serving on Asbury Woods’ facilities and grounds committee since September 2022 and has led several programs at Asbury Woods over the years as well.

Bridget C. Shames is vice president and director of Marketing & Development for Glowacki Management.

Prior to joining the Board at Asbury Woods, Bridget served on the Erie Catholic School System Board of Directors and was past Chair on the Board of Directors for Erie DAWN. She is a Member of the Hamot Health Foundation Board of Corporators, a licensed PA Real Estate Salesperson, member of the Greater Erie Board of Realtors (GEBOR) and member of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR).

THE ERIE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WELCOMES DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR The Erie Community Foundation has announced the addition of Joshua Jaeger who has been hired as database administrator.

In this new position, Jaeger is responsible for the ongoing development and functionality of the Foundation’s relational database system and integration with all aspects of the Foundation’s work. This allows for the ECF’s ongoing commitment to sound fiduciary stewardship, excellent donor services and efficient grants management.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Jaeger worked as director of Veteran Services, Seasonal Emergency Shelter and Hotel Vouchers at Erie United Methodist Alliance. He has an extensive career within both the nonprofit and for-profit sector in the field of database administration and coordination.

Jaeger earned a bachelor’s degree from Edinboro University and is pursuing a master’s degree from Penn State University. In service to his community, he has served as chairman, Data Collection and Use Committee for Erie County Home Team Homeless and Housing Coalition (ECHTHHC); project manager and database system administrator for ServErie and a member of Erie Coalition for a Trauma Informed Community, Research and Data Work Group.

“On behalf of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and staff, we welcome Mr. Jaeger to The Erie Community Foundation team.

His extensive community knowledge and experience with database administration will be key our continued success,” said Erie Community Foundation President and CEO Karen Bilowith.

mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2023

11

LET’S TALK

YEARS STRONG

If you are seeking legal services, we should have a conversation about: • How we strive to achieve each client’s objectives • How we invest in our people • How we are thought leaders • How we are innovators

• How our firm has grown to a diverse staff of over 90 • How we’ve been recognized nationally • How we serve our communities • How we have worldwide capacity

Let’s talk. Call us at 814-459-2800. Or visit kmgslaw.com/LetsTalk to learn more.

Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C. Erie | North East | Pittsburgh | Jamestown, NY 814-459-2800 | www.kmgslaw.com

12 DECEMBER 2023 • mbabizmag.com

ON THE HILL | ISSUES

PA Senate Majority Policy Committee Aims To Improve Legislation and Spark New Ideas State Senator Dan Laughlin represents Pennsylvania’s 49th District, which includes nearly all of Erie County.

He also is chairman of the Senate Majority Policy Committee.

A hard day’s work has never been something from which I’ve shied away. I know the happiness that comes from a job well done and a dream made real.

I’m a born-and-raised Erie Countian, growing up in the Erie Heights housing project, above 38th on Garden Avenue. My parents worked and saved to eventually put a down payment on a family home on Allegheny Road. Growing up, my family had plenty of struggles, but we always managed to pull together and get through them.

Losing my machinist job at National Forge in Erie due to the collapse of the steel industry prompted me to join my brother’s construction company, later becoming a full partner. We also diversified our business portfolio to include an insulation firm, a property rental company and a waste disposal company.

As a business owner, I strongly support policies and programs that create jobs, limit government spending, and ease the tax and regulatory burden on job creators.

Having won two terms in the Pennsylvania Senate, I’ve been a strong advocate for government reform and committed to

making state government accessible and accountable to the people I serve.

For the current legislative session, I’m honored to have been chosen to chair the Senate Majority Policy Committee.

The committee often serves as a staging ground where legislative ideas can be dissected, critiqued and improved. The committee has held hearings throughout the state, gathering input on issues important to the prosperity of the people of Pennsylvania.

A recent policy committee hearing in Pittsburgh focused on the significant innovation assets and opportunity in Pennsylvania and examined how innovation industries are vitally important to regional and statewide economies.

During that hearing, assisting the development and retention of start-up businesses was discussed.

Testimony at this hearing mentioned that innovation is in decline in smaller communities outside of the state’s three largest innovation hubs. We should not be satisfied with a system that makes your zip code a determinate factor in the success of your business. Rather than focus on location when it comes to incentivizing entrepreneurship, Pennsylvania needs to promote innovation and empower creative thinking no matter where it occurs in the Commonwealth.

While creating and retaining businesses is important to Pennsylvania and its citizens, just as important is ensuring the state has a workforce that can support, attract and keep those businesses. That is why the

policy committee held a hearing to explore workforce challenges in rural Williamsport, Pennsylvania, focusing on population decline, labor and housing shortages, and their economic impact on communities and businesses.

I believe an issue we need to address in that regard is to stop this system we have created where the private sector has to compete against government benefits to find employees. We have essentially incentivized not working, or at least made it achievable for some.

There’s more to explore with the Policy Committee that impacts all Pennsylvanians. For one, restoring safe communities and reducing the crime that has ravaged our neighborhoods. I also want to make sure that we begin to put the drug overdose epidemic behind us by creating a pathway for mandatory rehab for those in addiction who need a lifeline.

More locally, my main focus since arriving in the Senate has been to get a CRIZ (City Revitalization and Improvement Zone) designation for the City of Erie.

This economic tool will re-energize development in the city, and I am confident that this can be achieved within the next year. Working with the mayor’s office, Erie Insurance, Infinite Erie, City Council and my Senate colleagues, I know our collective efforts will bear fruit for the citizens of Erie.

mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2023

13

We’ll simplify the complex process of buying investment or owner-occupied property with an Erie FCU Commercial Real Estate Loan.

• Investment and owner-occupied properties • Local market familiarity • Competitive low rates and loan terms • Local decision-making • No application fee • No pre-payment penalties

Contact Nathan Crouch or Mark Paradise at (814) 825-2436 or businesslending@eriefcu.org to get started!

eriefcu.org • Insured by NCUA Loans subject to credit approval. Membership eligibility required.

MBA Ad 0823v2.indd 1

14 DECEMBER 2023 • mbabizmag.com

8/3/23 3:35 PM

HR CONNECTION | WORKPLACE TRENDS MOST CEOS CONFIDENT ABOUT FUTURE OF ECONOMY, THEIR OWN COMPANIES

Nearly 85 percent of CEOs feel confident about long-term growth prospects for the U.S. economy, according to KPMG’s latest CEO Outlook survey.

Most are also confident about their own company’s prospects over the next few years — though, notably less so than they were last year.

Food Safety Makes the Holiday Season Better for Everyone The Manufacturer & Business Association provides certification classes monthly for food safety professionals who work in restaurants, cafeterias, or other types of eating and drinking establishments. We provide a high level of food safety handling information to those workers who have our health in their hands when we eat out. These facilities are licensed under public health laws with enforceable regulations governing their handling procedures.

But what about our personal food safety handling knowledge, especially for the upcoming holiday parties? Causing a foodborne illness is not a violation of the law with our friends and family, but it is not a good holiday gift!

Food safety basics need to be consistently applied in your home for larger, special occasion meals, as well as for your daily meals.

The Centers for Disease Control highlights key principles: •

Separate foods. Prevent cross-contamination after working with each item by thoroughly washing surfaces, utensils and your hands before moving on to other foods. Drying with a single-use towel maintains cleanliness. Use pretty holiday kitchen towels for display only!

•

Cook thoroughly. Use a food thermometer to measure safe final cooking temperatures.

Find temperature guidelines at foodsafety.gov.

•

Avoid the “danger zone” of 41 degrees to 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Bacteria can grow rapidly when food is not kept hot or cold. Prepare items in 30-minute intervals, then cook or return them to refrigeration. During service, use hot plates or crock pots or ice the cold food containers. Without temperature control, do not display foods for any longer than two hours.

•

Raw dough or batter. The age-old tradition of letting the kids lick the mixing spoon is a thing of the past! Flour and eggs can contain dangerous bacteria. Enjoy holiday baked goods after they are properly cooked for food safety.

By following the control points of time, temperature and cleanliness, you can help ensure safe food is served at your holiday gatherings. Remember: Food safety is not just for professionals; it’s essential for everyone!

Last year, 95 percent of CEOs said they were confident about their own company’s growth prospects.

This year, just 79 percent are. Still high, but a big drop.

“I think it’s because we have more clarity now about the duration of certain structural changes in the economy,” said Paul Knopp, CEO of KPMG. Even with all those negatives, most CEOs are still optimistic about their own company and the broader economy.

A growing number are also looking to get people back to the office. Last year, just 34 percent said they saw a future with employees back full time.

Now, 62 percent do. The rest mostly envision a hybrid setup.

CFO SURVEY FINDS IMPROVED OUTLOOK ON HIRING AND REVENUE IN 2024

Chief financial officers foresee improved revenue and hiring in 2024, according to The CFO Survey for the third quarter of this year released by Duke University’s Fuqua School Business and the Federal Reserve Banks of Richmond and Atlanta.

CFOs on average expect full-time employment growth to rise 3.9 percent in 2024, up from 1.1 percent this year, according to the report. They also on average expect revenue to rebound to 6.5-percent growth next year from 3 percent this year.

They were also more upbeat on the economy in general. In the third-quarter report, CFOs assigned a 19-percent chance for negative GDP growth over the next 12 months, down from 24 percent in the second-quarter survey. Growth expectations for GDP were upgraded with CFOs on average foreseeing 1.3-percent growth, up from 1 percent in the previous survey.

However, monetary policy ranked as their top business concern, as higher interest rates have curtailed spending at approximately 40 percent of companies. Labor quality/availability was the next-most important concern.

Lisa DeFilippo is the senior professional development trainer at the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact her at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or ldefilippo@mbausa.org.

mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2023

15

LEGAL Q&A | GET ANSWERS WHAT SHOULD I DO IF AN EMPLOYEE REPORTS HARASSMENT TO ME?

Once an employer knows that an employee is being harassed, it has a responsibility to correct the situation and protect the employee from further harassment.

You should promptly and thoroughly investigate the claim. This may mean that interviewing the employee, the harasser, and any other witnesses. If you determine that the employee was harassed, you should take steps to stop the behavior from continuing, such as transferring the harasser to another location, terminating the harasser, training/counseling the harasser, etc. You also must make sure that the employee who complained is not punished, treated differently, or harassed for reporting harassment.

IS IT ILLEGAL FOR SOMEONE TO HARASS ANOTHER PERSON WHO IS THE SAME SEX, RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN OR RELIGION OR WHO HAS THE SAME DISABILITY?

Yes. It is illegal for people to harass others of their own sex, religion, race, color, national origin, or religion. It also is illegal for a person with a disability to harass other individuals with the same disability or genetic information or other disabilities or genetic information.

WHERE CAN I FIND THIRD PARTY TRAINING ON WORKPLACE HARASSMENT FOR MY EMPLOYEES?

Workplace harassment training is important for several reasons, but the most important reasons revolve around protecting employees from harassment, creating a safe and supportive work environment for all, and building a workplace culture of mutual respect.

The MBA offers a variety of discounted training for members, including Workplace Harassment training. We can come to your worksite, provide it virtually, or we can train at one of our convenient office locations (Erie, PA or Cranberry Township, PA).

EEOC Proposes New Enforcement Guidance on Workplace Harassment On September 29, 2023, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued proposed new guidance for determining whether workplace harassment violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Title VII) or other equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws enforced by the agency. For employers subject to these laws, the new guidance does not impose any new obligations on employers but instead aims to clarify certain legal principles under existing federal fair employment laws and provide insight into how the EEOC will enforce compliance with anti-harassment provisions.

Background: Title VII is a federal law that prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating against or harassing individuals based on certain characteristics. These characteristics, also known as protected traits, include race, color, religion, national origin and sex (including sexual orientation, transgender status and pregnancy). Other EEO laws protect individuals from discrimination or harassment based on disability, age (40 and older) and genetic information.

Between 1986 and 1999, the EEOC issued several documents designed to guide agency staff members who investigate claims of harassment under EEO laws. The agency also issued proposed enforcement guidance on these topics in 2017, but it was never finalized.

Proposed Updates: In the newly proposed guidance, the EEOC provides several updated examples to reflect a wide range of modern scenarios and address emerging issues, such as how social media postings and other online content may contribute to a hostile work environment. It also incorporates current case law, including the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 decision on sexual orientation and gender identity in Bostock v. Clayton County, into the new proposed guidance. The document describes preventive and corrective actions an employer may take to help establish defenses against liability for workplace harassment.

Next Steps: The proposed guidance was published in the Federal Register on October 2, 2023. The public comment period for the EEOC’s proposed guidance is currently scheduled to remain open until November 1, 2023. After reviewing public input, the Commission will consider appropriate revisions before finalizing the guidance. If finalized, the guidance will not have the binding force of the law. Rather, it’s intended to provide clarity to the public about EEOC policies and existing requirements under the law.

Tammy Lamary-Toman, JD, PHR is the vice president and employment counsel for the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact her at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or ttoman@mbausa.org.

16 DECEMBER 2023 • mbabizmag.com

mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2023

17

18 DECEMBER 2023 • mbabizmag.com

| NETWORKING & MORE | CONFERENCE EVENTSSECTION SPECIAL The Manufacturer & Business Association hosted the 11th annual HR Conference on November 8 at the Bayfront Convention in Erie. The daylong event, which featured an array of speakers and HR experts, provided educational updates and training opportunities for HR and business professionals across the region. To see exclusive photos, visit mbausa.org.

HR CONFERENCE THANK YOU SPONSORS! Congratulations to Stella LaPaglia of Marquette Savings Bank who was named the MBA’s 2023 HR Person of the Year. LaPaglia is shown here with Marquette’s Executive Vice President and CEO John Dill. 

PREMIER SPONSOR

 Afternoon keynote speaker Andrew Tarvin gave an enlightening presentation on the value of humor in the workplace!

Participants completed a word search for a chance to win a $50 gift card provided by United Concordia Dental! 

 Attendees got an update on Artificial Intelligence in HR by Steptoe and Johnson, which also sponsored this year’s cooler bags.

The event kicked off with morning keynote speaker, Meghan Kinter, Ph.D., of the Achievement Center of LECOM Health sharing her invaluable insights on why “Mindset Matters.”  The 11th annual HR Conference was made possible thanks to premier sponsor ECCA Payroll +. 

 Attendees tried to spell their way to victory, during a word scrabble game sponsored by the Erie County Community College.

 A delicious lunch was sponsored by Widget Financial.

Heather Sayers from Family Services of Northwest PA was the HR Conference grand prize winner of $500 cash (shown here with the MBA’s Patty Welther)!  Snack break sponsor, VBA, added flavor and energy to the day!  Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C. provided an employment law update as well as lanyards.

Centerpiece sponsor Gerlach’s provided these beautiful floral arrangements.

AHN Occupational Health presented this year’s “Good Vibes” Health Spotlight.

mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2023

19

The Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) is excited to announce that it will once again hold its Holiday Giving Tree Program to help members and the general public give back to the community this holiday season.

This year, the MBA Conference Center in Erie will display two Christmas trees with special ornaments in the front lobby for those wishing to give gifts to seniors and children in northwest Pennsylvania.

The 2023 donation program benefits two MBA member organizations – one is Home Instead’s “Be a Santa to a Senior” and the other to benefit deserving students at the Robert Benjamin Wiley Community Charter School. Please stop in the MBA Conference Center, 2171 West 38th Street in Erie, to select and sign out an ornament and spread some cheer for those in need. You may even get treated to a carol or two by the MBA’s talented receptionist Pam Durst!

Please return unwrapped donations with ornament tags in GIFT BAGS to the MBA Conference Center by no later than Monday, December 11. If you are interested or want to learn more, contact the MBA at 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660. Any MBA member that wants to be considered for the 2024 Holiday Giving Tree Program should also contact the MBA as space is limited.

Happy Holidays!

*all events are in Erie unless otherwise noted. **all dates subject to change.

JANUARY 1/10 – HR CoffeeTalk (Virtual) 1/12 – MBA Open House 1/16 – HR Roundtable

APRIL

2024 CALENDAR OF EVENTS FEBRUARY 2/7 – Eggs ’n’ Issues: Gannon University President Dr. Iwanenko

MARCH 3/13 – HR CoffeeTalk (Virtual)

2/8 – MBA Legislative Lunch Reception

3/14 – IMPACT Luncheon: Women in Leadership

2/14 – HR CoffeeTalk (Virtual)

3/19 – HR Roundtable

2/20 – HR Roundtable

TBD – PA House Policy Hearing

MAY

JUNE

4/10 – HR CoffeeTalk (Virtual)

5/8 – HR CoffeeTalk (Virtual)

6/12 – HR CoffeeTalk (Virtual)

4/16 – HR Roundtable

5/21 – HR Roundtable

6/18 – HR Roundtable

TBD – Leadership Summit

TBD – Legislative Lunch

TBD – MFG Day (Butler)

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

7/10 – HR CoffeeTalk (Virtual)

8/14 – HR CoffeeTalk (Virtual)

9/11 – HR CoffeeTalk (Virtual)

TBD – IMPACT Luncheon: Nonprofit/Corp. Giving

8/20 – HR Roundtable

9/14 – Western PA Legislative Reception (Pittsburgh) 9/17 – HR Roundtable

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

10/9 – 119th Annual Event

11/6 – 12th Annual HR Conference

12/11 – HR CoffeeTalk (Virtual)

10/9 – 11th Annual MFG Day

11/13 – HR CoffeeTalk (Virtual)

12/17 – HR Roundtable

10/15 – HR Roundtable

11/19 – HR Roundtable

TBD – IMPACT Luncheon: Economic Forecast

TBD – IMPACT Event: Anniversary Awards (Pittsburgh) TBD – Legislative Lunch

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ERIE, PA PERMIT #199

Work with the best.

You demand the best from your team. In return, you want to give your employees the best that you have to offer. We’ve got you covered. UPMC Health Plan offers affordable plan options for businesses of all sizes, an award-winning Health Care Concierge team, and access to high-quality care locally and through the Cigna Healthcare℠ PPO Network when your employees are traveling outside the UPMC service area.*

More reasons why businesses choose UPMC Health Plan Access

Trust

Give employees access to the best doctors and hospitals of UPMC, as well as many community doctors and hospitals, and an extensive national network of outstanding providers across the country.

As a longtime leader in health insurance, we build strong, long-lasting relationships with our clients.

Value

Plan options

As part of an integrated health care system, providers and payers work together to deliver high-quality care at affordable costs.

No matter the size of your business, we have the right plans to meet your team’s needs.

To find out why businesses that choose UPMC Health Plan stay with UPMC Health Plan, visit UPMCHealthPlan.com/employers.

For UPMC Health Plan award information, go to upmchealthplan.com/best. *The Cigna Healthcare PPO Network refers to the health care providers (doctors, hospitals, specialists) contracted as part of the Cigna Healthcare PPO for Shared Administration. Cigna Healthcare is an independent company and not affiliated with UPMC Health Plan. Access to the Cigna Healthcare PPO Network is available through Cigna Healthcare’s contractual relationship with UPMC Health Plan. All Cigna Healthcare products are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company.

The Cigna name, logo, and other marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc.